The UK’s untold stories

As you can see, there were a lot of misconceptions!

The installation of the 'National Elliott 405 Electronic Computer' was filmed. You can watch it here, thanks to the Yorkshire Film Archive.

Did you know that we've been innovating for decades? Just take Windolene for example...

'Windo' was first launched in 1922 as a window, glass and mirror cleaning product for the home. But when initial sales proved disappointing, the team realised that there were improvements that needed making to the product's formulation. R&D put their best innovators on the job and following a similar product buy out ('Windolene') and local tests, they found the innovation that worked.

Windo was renamed Windolene, reformulated, relaunched and has remained in homes ever since.

Do you know the story of Lemsip?

Lemsip was first launched in 1969 as 'LEM-SIP' and was the first cold-relief product containing real lemon. This unique selling point was only made possible because of Reckitt & Colman's experience in the drinks business. In Norwich, UK, the Colman area of the business specialised in lemon drinks. Eureka! The perfect collaboration: a healthcare product that was not only effective but tasted great too.

The brand dropped the hyphen in 1976 and the new blackcurrant flavour first hit the market in 1981, with cough relief liquids and capsules quickly following.

Did you know that the brand's mascots evolved quite a lot over the years? The 'Elder Lemon' first made its appearance in 1980, but Lemsip's marketing has also been supported by the "Laughing Policeman", "Croaky Frog", "Comfy Armchair" and "Hard Working Medicine" over time.

Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II personally influenced the future of Aerogard?

During Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Australia in 1963, Doug Waterhouse's insect repellent was used to protect her from the national pest, the Australian bush fly, during a round of golf.

Journalists following the Queen noted the absence of flies around the official party, and word about the exciting new fly-repellent spread.

A few days later, representatives from the company making Mortein insecticides called Doug Waterhouse for his formula, which he passed on freely. And so, Aerogard was born!

And finally, did you know that some of our brand's original inventors' families are still involved with Reckitt today?

At Reckitt, there are lots of stories of generations of families working together over the years. But our family links go deeper than that. Did you know that the great grandson of Harpic's inventor Harry Pickup works at Reckitt today?

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